The Price of Dreams: The Ruslan Shanidza Novels, #1 by Paul Clark

Author:Paul Clark
Format: epub

That afternoon and the next morning, the prosecution called half a dozen KGB officers, who described the activities of the members of the Committee as they assembled their information and materials and created their leaflets. The KGB had even observed them as they rehearsed giving out their leaflets by standing up, walking quickly down trolley buses and commuter trains just before they stopped, getting off and disappearing into the crowd.

Ruslan’s lawyer had just a few questions for the officers who had observed Ruslan and Nina. ‘In your report, you describe the events which occurred after Comrade Shanidza called at Comrade Begishveli’s apartment on the thirteenth of October?’

‘Yes.’

‘What happened after Comrade Shanidza arrived?’

‘They went and sat on a bench outside.’

‘And how did you describe their conversation?’

‘It was quite animated.’

‘Were they having a row?’

‘Yes, I suppose you could say that.’

‘That’s exactly what you did say in your report, isn’t it?’

‘Yes.’

‘And then what happened?’

‘They went back into the apartment.’

‘Prior to that, if you please.’

‘Sorry?’

‘Did they kiss?’

‘Yes.’

‘So, if I may sum up, they had a row and then they kissed and made up?’

‘Yes.’

‘And then they returned to the apartment?’

‘Yes.’

‘And after that?’

‘Erm...’

‘Let me refresh your memory. Something connected with the lights.’

‘Oh yes, they turned them off after a minute or so.’

‘So our two lovebirds met, had a row, kissed and made up, went upstairs and turned off the light. What do you think they did next?’

There was laughter all around the court.

‘Perhaps, if the court will indulge me, I will not insist on an answer to that question. Suffice it to say that it is unlikely that my client and Comrade Begishveli spent the rest of the evening discussing the finer points of a plot to undermine the Soviet Union.’

Ruslan’s lawyer dealt in similar fashion with the KGB officers who had observed his arrival at Nina’s flat on the evening of his arrest. Ruslan was delighted with his performance. He thought Giorgi had done a great job finding him.

On the afternoon of the third day, the defendants took the stand. The first was Yakub, who described how they had assembled their facts, checked their accuracy and created their leaflets. When his lawyer Orbeliani asked him why, he said that they were exercising their right to freedom of information as enshrined in the 1975 Helsinki Accords.

‘Would you describe your motivation as anti-Soviet?’

‘No. Soviet democracy will be enhanced if the people are well informed.’

When Orbeliani had finished, Ruslan’s lawyer asked Yakub one question, ‘What was Comrade Ruslan Shanidza’s role in the activities of the Ronkoni Committee for Truth?’

‘None. He wasn’t involved at all.’

Next Yakub was subjected to a ferocious cross examination by the prosecutor, who attempted to paint the Committee as intent on breaking up the Soviet Union and restoring capitalism. Yakub did his best, but Ruslan thought the prosecutor won hands down. All their confessions had given him lots of ammunition.

Much the same happened when Marta, Iya, Arslan and Uta gave their evidence. With Nina, Ruslan’s lawyer asked further questions to establish how little the two of them saw of each other during the Committee’s activities.

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